Project Showcase: The ‘Be Healthy’ app by Meriem

Meriem, 15, made the ‘Be Healthy’ app and presented it at Coolest Projects UK in 2018.

The app was made to advise users on healthy eating, prototyped on an app design platform – “Healthy eating advice, support for diabetic people, personalised diet plan according to your health conditions.”

For Meriem, this project was motivated by a mentor to start her project by identifying a real-world problem that she would like to solve.

“It was so pleasing to see many people interested and curious about my project that took so much hard work!”

Having had experience with lack of support about healthy diet and habits, especially for diabetics that she knew personally, she decided to try to find a solution for this problem using technology. She created an app that guides people’s diet and health habits. This includes elements such as recipes, as well as eating patterns using a timetable with the healthiest times for the main meal of the day

I was inspired by the ongoing news reports about the large numbers of obese and diabetic people in the UK. I was also inspired by my grandad who struggles living with his diabetes.

How long did it take to make your project?

My project took roughly 3 months to put together.

What were the hardest parts of making the project? What were the best parts?

The hardest part of my project was looking for the best recipes with lowest cholesterol and fat levels. My best part was designing the overall look of my app.

What did it feel like to present your project at Coolest Projects?

It felt wonderful. It was so pleasing to see many people interested and curious about my project that took so much hard work!

What was your favourite part of the Coolest Projects experience? What was the biggest lesson you learnt?

My favourite part of the Coolest Projects was presenting alongside many other fantastic projects and talented people who love technology as much as I do. I have learnt the difficulty of the competition is high.

If you could give advice to other young people applying to Coolest Projects what would it be?

I would say to create something you are deeply fascinated by, and something that would be used in everyday life. This will make your project relatable and you will attract many people!